De la Fuente comments on Villarreal-Barça in Miami and opens the door of the National Team to Joan García
Published New:26/08/2025 - 20:07h
Updated New:26/08/2025 - 20:07h
The Spanish coach, Luis de la Fuente, spoke about Villarreal-Barça to be played in Miami and makes it clear that Joan García can be called up for La Roja
The match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal, which LaLiga plans to hold in Miami with the approval of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, continues to generate opinions, both for and against. Luis de la Fuente gave his point of view in an interview with Radio Nacional de España (RNE), about the match and the possibility of Joan García going to La Roja.
Regarding the match of matchday 17 of the Liga EA Sports 25/26 to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, the native of Haro expressed that this event "seems very strange", but he understands that "football is evolving". In conclusion, he stated that "we must accept the decision".
Luis de la Fuente: "Look at the Spanish Super Cup in Arabia"
It is worth noting that on August 11, in a meeting of the Board of Directors, the RFEF received the request from Villareal and Barça to play this match on American soil, which was approved. The organizing body of Spanish football will be responsible for submitting the request to UEFA, and then obtaining authorization from FIFA to play in Miami.
It is not the first time that Spanish clubs have played official matches abroad, as they have played the Spanish Super Cup in both Tangier (Morocco) and Saudi Arabia. The coach of La Roja complemented his argument.
"These are decisions that have to be made in a consensual manner. Now it seems very strange to us, but football evolves; look at the Spanish Super Cup in Arabia," argued De la Fuente. "As long as the decisions are made by the actors and protagonists for the good of football, we will have to accept them."
De la Fuente opens the doors of the national team to Joan García
Joan García arrived this summer to Barça, coming from Espanyol, and has already guarded the goal of the culé team in the first two presentations of LaLiga EA Sports 25/26 against Mallorca and Levante. The native of Sallent de Llobregat played in La Roja U-21 between 2021 and 2022, precisely under the technical direction of Luis de la Fuente.
"It's not because he's at Barcelona. He did very well at Espanyol. I met him when he was 18-19 years old. I know his potential from previous seasons. He can perfectly enter"
It is not easy to enter the squad of Spain when names like David Raya, Álex Remiro and Unai Simón appear. Although De la Fuente has good references from the player from Sallent, he knows that the choice of goalkeepers in the next FIFA date is not easy.
"It is not easy to enter among the 23 players. The lists are of a very high level. It is not easy to remove those who are there. In the top-10 of goalkeepers, there are six or seven Spaniards"
De la Fuente is cautious with Lamine Yamal
Every time De la Fuente has the opportunity to speak with the media before a break for national teams, it has become common to be asked about Lamine Yamal. The Barça '10' is having a great moment and knows what it is like to have a title with La Roja, having won the European Championship in 2024. However, the Spanish coach conveys prudence, patience and confidence for the 18-year-old winger.
"Lamine is an 18-year-old boy, but very mature. He lives football very intensely and knows how to handle a situation as complicated as debuting with the national team at 16 years old. We talk about the less pleasant things about football when we must transmit the values that football has," he expressed. For the native of Haro, it is important to be able to accompany Yamal in his football growth, beyond the media spotlight generated by his performances.
"Lamine is an example of those values. He has a fantastic capacity for sacrifice, generous, a great teammate. He is a genius in football. He has an enormous talent. We should focus on that more than if he has bought a car, a motorcycle or is seen with a girlfriend. Lamine has not done anything that can be censored"
Luis de la Fuente will announce the squad of La Roja next Friday, August 29 for the matches against Bulgaria and Turkey on September 4 and 7, both as visitors, for the Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
